Shloka 59
कृष्णोपदेशः, अर्जुनस्य क्षमा-याचनम्, कर्णवध-अनुज्ञा
Krishna’s Counsel, Arjuna’s Apology, and Authorization for Karṇa’s Slaying
कर्णोडपि समरे राजनू् धर्मपुत्रमरिंदमम् | स शरैश्छादयामास सारथिं चाप्यपातयत्,राजन! कर्णने भी समरांगणमें शत्रुओंका दमन करनेवाले धर्मपुत्र युधिष्ठिरको बाणोंसे आच्छादित कर दिया और सारथिको भी मार गिराया
sañjaya uvāca | karṇo 'pi samare rājan dharmaputram ariṃdamam | sa śaraiś chādayāmāsa sārathiṃ cāpy apātayat ||
Sañjaya said: O King, Karṇa too, in the thick of battle, covered Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira—the subduer of foes—with a shower of arrows, and he also struck down his charioteer. The scene underscores how, in war, even the righteous are subjected to relentless force, and the disabling of the chariot’s support becomes a decisive ethical and tactical turning point.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh impartiality of war: personal righteousness does not shield one from violence, and the removal of a supporter (the charioteer) can decisively alter outcomes—inviting reflection on the ethical cost of victory and the vulnerability of even dhārmic figures in kṣatriya conflict.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Karṇa attacks Yudhiṣṭhira in battle, overwhelms him with a dense volley of arrows, and additionally brings down Yudhiṣṭhira’s charioteer, thereby impairing his chariot’s effectiveness.